Scott Skiles No Longer Coaches the Milwaukee Bucks

The writing was on the wall for Scott Skiles and the Milwaukee Bucks, it was just a matter of time until the relationship ended. And last night, it did. Skiles is out as Bucks head coach, as per the mutual agreement between both sides, and lead assistant Jim Boylan will take over. From the Journal Sentinel and the Bucks’ website: “A league source confirmed late Monday that Scott Skiles is out as coach of the Milwaukee Bucks after four-plus seasons. The source said it was mutually agreed between the two parties that Skiles would no longer coach the Bucks, effective immediately. Jim Boylan will take over as interim coach of the team beginning with Tuesday’s home game against Phoenix, the source indicated. Skiles was in the final year of his contract with the team. He originally signed a four-year deal in April 2008 and had his contract extended one year following the 2009-’10 season. The final game in Skiles’ term with the Bucks came on Saturday night as Milwaukee lost at Indiana, 95-80. The Bucks dropped four straight games last week to fall to the .500 mark, after they had improved to a 16-12 record with a 104-85 home victory over Miami on Dec. 29. Skiles compiled a 162-182 record in his time with the Bucks and led the team to one playoff appearance in four seasons. The only time the team had a winning record was in 2009-’10 when it went 46-36 and advanced to the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Bucks lost in seven games to Atlanta in the first round of the playoffs that year. But Milwaukee fell to 35-47 the next year during an injury-plagued season and was 31-35 during the lockout-shortened season a year ago. Skiles experimented with several lineups this year and the Bucks won six of their first eight games. They are 14-8 against Eastern Conference foes but just 2-8 against the Western Conference thus far. This will be the second time Boylan has succeeded Skiles as coach of an NBA team. Boylan finished the final 56 games of the 2007-’08 season as interim coach of the Chicago Bulls after serving as Skiles’ lead assistant.

“Scott and I met yesterday after practice and after some honest discussion, we both came to the conclusion that it was best to part ways,’ General Manager Hammond said. ‘It is never an easy decision to make, but in the end a decision we felt was best for both parties. I want to thank Scott for his hard work, dedication and the imprint he leaves on our team and our entire organization. We all wish him and his family well.’ […] ‘John and I met and mutually agreed that a coaching change would be in the best interest of both parties,’ Skiles said. ‘The Senator, the people of Wisconsin, and especially those in the Bucks organization have been very kind to me, my wife, and family. I am truly grateful for our time here. We are leaving with many fond memories. I believe this team can and will have success in the next 50 games and postseason. I want to thank the players for all of their hard work. I wish them all the best.’ Skiles amassed an overall record of 443-433 (.506) as an NBA head coach, which also includes stints with the Chicago Bulls and the Phoenix Suns. In his 12-plus seasons with the Suns, Bulls and Bucks, Skiles coached in six NBA postseasons (42 games, 18-24 record). He was originally hired as an assistant coach to Danny Ainge in Phoenix, a post he held for two-plus seasons. Prior to that he served as the head coach of PAOK in Greece.”